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A Day of Mourning and Celebration

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March 9th, 2009 | 4:19 pm

Okay, despite the fact that I staged my own private boycott of the final season, and though it didn't really work since I kept up by reading all of Julia's recaps, I got a little misty watching the The L Word Special. If you missed, it you can watch it here:

As we wait for Julia's final recap, and since it seems that most of the reviews and comments so far expressed big disappointment in the final outcome, I thought we should take a moment in this blog to celebrate our favorite memories or thoughts about the show.

So please feel free to share something positive that the show gave you or a memory with friends, or even if you came out because of it. Here's mine:

Back in 2004 when Velvetpark was still a print magazine, photographer Angela Jimenez, writer Raimy Rosenduft and I traveled to Vancouver BC, to the set of The L Word for our issue 8 feature story. As it turned out, we were one of a very few publications to have had that access. It was incredibly exciting for us.

The following photos are the actual photos that appeared in the magazine, along with a behind-the-scenes shot of Ange working some magic.

The opening photo of Ilene was shot on a beach in Vancouver early in the morning around 7 a.m.

During Mia's photo session, a light bulb exploded above catching the overhanging scrim alight. The shoot continued amidst the smoke after the fire was doused. This shot took place in the front yard of "Shane, Carmen and Jenny's house." You can still see the smoke in the air.

For Ilene's portrait, she climbed a ladder, in heels.

The centerfold took place on "Bette and Tina's" bed.

Ilene signs Velvetpark issue 8 for a fan in Atlanta in '06.

The issue turned out to be our best seller, no surprise, and no denying that The L Word galvanized lesbians around the world like no other show, movie or media entity had before. The L Word set a precedent. From a media standpoint, it showed the MSM that we were a large and formidable demographic. I think The L Word gave us confidence in the face of disdain, indifference and adversity. I hope we don't lose the bonds that have come from finding each other by way of a mundane medium with a profound impact.

If anyone is interested in getting our L Word issue, we still have some copies available.
$7.00 + S&H

It is beyond my comprehension why everyone is spuing such hate at TLW and its ending.
Firstly I thought the last episode was awesome. IC gave all characters equal time and was able to cast a shadow on each one. Certainly I do not think any of these women are guilty however she left it all open to continue to tell this story.
Perhaps the story did not end with all conclusions solved and perhaps we have a need to have answers and solutions to all lifes dilemnas, I ask you how real is that anyway ?
It is obvious to me that IC wants a spin off and perhaps more and I for one want that too. The only way to get that is to create drama and curiosity
Surely I hear so many say how they cannot stand IC or TLW but clearly that is what everyone is talking about...so much so that the showtimes ratings have skyrocketed, highest ever for any series...
So as I hear everyone ranting about how insane IC is I say Great job IC...you got their attention and they cannot disconnect a job real done

LONG LIVE THE L WORD: THAT IS MY STORY AND I AM STICKING TO IT !!!!!!!

The interrogation tapes ...Brilliant.....we will be hearing from the "L" for six more weeks bringing us to about the same time a season lasts....how is that for media attention

Lets face it girls....we may not feel that these stories are worthy our time or attention because we women have been elevated to a higher plane but there are women out there who do find these stories useful , helpful, encouraging and entertaining...

Thank you, Tae. I'm certain when I say I'm not alone in being glad you decided to join the rest of us in the deep end, lol. For certain, I've appreciated your points of view, not to mention your private support of me when I've dealt with difficult issues and situations.

Kate has a couple of projects going right now, Remorse, and Everything's Fine. The former is still in production, the latter in post-production. Sorry, I couldn't locate any projected release dates for either.

They're supposed to have a second season ready to air soon on Logo, but I haven't found any specific dates anywhere. And, yeah, it's a good sitcom for those who like the silly sort of soft slapstick style (I go for that every now and then myself). Like I said, the series has potential, and my hope is that they reach it.

Someone told me they are having Digisodes on Logo, but since I usually don't have that good of a connection unless in a major city, I can't confirm that. They do have a MySpace link on their page at Logo, and I spotted a couple of behind the scenes video links there.

I've always had a love-hate relationship of sorts with TLW. Some sub plots were completely unrealistic (especially the character Max), some that were very real weren't covered enough (like breast cancer and DADT). Season 6 was a huge disappointment for me, primarily because of all the weird writing (save for a couple of episodes).

But then again, if I could have done it better I would have been on the production team, not out in a big rig driving all over the country.

It's been one hell of a ride, though, one I hope doesn't end with the series. Prior to TLW, all I had was the gay male oriented Queer as Folk, which had one lesbian couple that appeared all too briefly here and there. Logo had a couple of failed lesbian oriented sitcoms, but I've never been one to watch poorly written shows to begin with (though Ex's and Oh's had potential).

But, when TLW aired, I was an instant fan. Here was a show that featured great talent, all women, and stories about life in Southern California for lesbians, albeit from an upper middle class and somewhat unrealistic point of view.

And then, right after then end of one of the episodes, I discovered that OurChart was made real. Suddenly, there was a whole world of lesbian women, each unique, each with their own stories. I found a place where I could challenge others, be challenged by them, and for the most part, found acceptance, and a few friends, in a world I previously felt like an alien outsider to.

Then, last November, when OC imploded on itself, I found Velvet Park, where I could continue to express myself, to grow, to learn, in an environment where I was accepted, my take on life had some value, and where I could debate with others with different takes.

While I was hugely disappointed with TLW in Season 6, the one thing I will remember about the show overall is that it did bring many of us here together, our little global community of womyn, all of us unique, and yet very much the same. For that, we owe thanks to those who were part of the show. I suspect if it weren't for TLW, most of us would still be in a kind of fractured lesbian wilderness. I know I would still be adrift.

Hey Tex, I really love the song at the end of episode 5, season 5, when Tina was drunk after the party and lying on the couch at Bette's house...while Bette was looking at her with longing. Do you know the artist and title of that song?

Oh well, to be honest, I met several friends from different countries because of the L-word... Hence the song to you guys:

Sister Sledge - We Are Family
Ev'ryone can see we're together
As we walk on by
(FLY!) and we fly just like birds of a feather
I won't tell no lie
(ALL!) all of the people around us they say
Can they be that close
Just let me state for the record
We're giving love in a family dose

*Sang in a gaytastic style.

P/s: The show is imperfect... but I've to admit that it has brought us closer together - to my friends and my adopted family.

TLW and all it encompassed for me - the series itself, OurChart, Velvetpark, people I met, thoughts I shared, places I traveled, women I love - reinforced my desire to be the most complete human being that I can be.....

My favorite part of the series - the music! I have gotten my money's worth out of my The L Word play list....

Who would have thought 30 years ago that so many people would be saddened, diappointed and angered by a lesbian television show airing its final season after six years, not many. There are some aspects of the show that I wanted to be written differently to satisfy my longing for the world to see a more perfect lesbian community. But, I have to confess that there are so many facets of the show that depict the real lesbian community over several era's. One of the keywords that will stay with me is "family". Since watching the show and visiting some of the sites dedicated to TLW and lesbian life, I realize that I have a very large family. I appreciate their effort in boldly presently the vast lesbian community with sincerity and conviction.